Why I will be voting NO on the Charter Question
On November 4, we’ll be asked to change Claremont’s
Charter and how we presently govern ourselves. Supporters advocating the
proposed charter have not explained what’s wrong with the present charter and why
such a drastic change is needed. Before we turn everything upside down, I’d
like to know what’s so wrong with the present charter.
Under the present Charter – we elect 9 councilors whose
job is to set policy and establish priorities. The city manager is a
professional public administrator accountable to the council and tasked with implementing
council policies & priorities in a fair and transparent manner.
If the manager does something the people or council
don’t approve of, his services can be terminated immediately by a simple
majority of the Council. However, under the proposed Charter, the mayor will be
responsible for day to day operations and, since NH has no recall provision, an
elected mayor cannot be terminated so we’ll be stuck until the next
election.
As someone who’s lived in Manchester where this proposed
charter was modeled after, I know the existing Claremont model is the better
system. People from Manchester have told me how their “strong mayor” form of
government has held them back and wish they had a system like Claremont’s.
Why? Because the skills it takes to get elected are not
the skills you need to manage. Nationwide – the preferred practice for municipal
government is to hire trained professional administrators with the technical skills
and experience needed to run a 21st Century city. With the proposed two
year term, the person elected mayor will need the 1st year to learn
the job, and the 2nd year will be dealing with getting
re-elected. Doesn’t give much time for
governing!
The pro charter change crowd contend that the 8 aldermen
will be a check & balance to the mayor, but their way gives the mayor a vote
on everything, and if it doesn’t go his way – he can use his veto power.
They’ll need 6 of the 8 aldermen to over-ride a veto. Not exactly the best odds
– unless you’re the mayor.
On Nov 4, VOTE NO – the alternative is too risky. There’s
no reason for changing the Charter.
Thank You,
Raymond Gagnon, Claremont
